News Summary Friendly Fire NBC gives the ''Friends'' cast an ultimatum. Plus, LeAnn Rimes, Natalie Portman, Ricky Martin, Bobby Brown, Mariah Carey, and more
CAST-OFFS? NBC threatens to leave ''Friends'' off its new schedule, unless the actors sign contracts by Sunday by Sandra P. Angulo
CONTRACT WARFARE NBC has drawn a line in the sand with the ''Friends'' cast, which has yet to close a deal on a seventh season for TV's No. 1 comedy. The network issued this statement today: ''We have a noon deadline on Sunday and we are prepared to announce our fall schedule on Monday without 'Friends' in the lineup.'' The actors are demanding raises of more than $800,000 per episode -- up from their current $125,000. While NBC certainly needs ''Friends'' to keep a stronghold on Must See Thursdays, it appears poised to face a future without the six actors if it means saying no to unreasonable cash demands. -- Lynette Rice